2 hrs ago
India Plans Barrier-Free Highway Tolling by February or March 2027
India wants cars to pass highway toll points without stopping.
The new system would use FASTag and cameras or other technology to read vehicle number plates.
These systems would identify the vehicle and collect the toll digitally.
The plan is meant to reduce delays at toll plazas.
Gadkari said FASTag has already cut waiting times by 80-90 percent.
He said the new system could bring in about Rs 10,000 crore more each year.
FASTag was launched in 2016 and became compulsory in 2021.
The reports give different rollout dates, saying either February or March 2027.
The government is also planning One Tag, which would let people change banks without replacing their FASTag.
Nitin Gadkari said India is moving toward fully digital, barrier-free highway tolling that would let vehicles pass without stopping.
The proposed system will combine FASTag with vehicle number-plate recognition to identify vehicles and collect tolls.
The system is expected to increase annual toll revenue by around Rs 10,000 crore, according to Gadkari.
Gadkari said FASTag has reduced toll-plaza waiting times by 80-90%, from about 12 minutes previously and as high as 30 minutes at some locations.
Reports differ on the rollout timeline: one says by February, while another says by March 2027; FASTag penetration reportedly exceeds 98%.
- Who
- Union Road and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and the Indian government.
- What
- A proposed fully digital, barrier-free highway tolling system using FASTag and vehicle number-plate recognition.
- Where
- The announcement was made at Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai.
- When
- Gadkari spoke on Friday at Global Fintech Fest 2026; reports differ on whether rollout is planned by February or March 2027.
- Why
- To remove remaining toll-plaza delays, reduce dependence on physical toll collection, and improve toll revenue collection.
Key facts
- Proposed system
- Barrier-free, fully digital highway tolling using FASTag and vehicle number-plate recognition
- Reported rollout
- One report says by February; another says by March 2027
- Potential revenue increase
- Around Rs 10,000 crore annually
- Waiting-time reduction
- 80-90% since FASTag adoption
- FASTag penetration
- More than 98% at National Highway toll plazas, according to Gadkari
- FASTags issued
- More than 13 crore
- FASTag history
- Pilot project in 2014, formally launched in 2016, and made mandatory in 2021
- One Tag
- A planned system allowing users to switch issuing banks without replacing their FASTag
Quotes
Nitin Gadkari
India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways
“FASTag is one of the success stories…in 2014, we started this as a pilot project. Our objective for tolling was to make it seamless, transparent and efficient. In 2016, we officially launched it. In 2021, we made FASTag mandatory. And today, the results are before us. FASTag penetration at National Highway toll plazas is now more than 98 per cent. So far, more than 13 crore FASTags have been issued in the country.”
financialexpress.com
“The introduction of One Tag will make FASTag more convenient by allowing users to switch banks while continuing with the same FASTag. Earlier, users had to purchase a new FASTag and remove the old one from their vehicle. Now, this will work much like mobile number portability, switch your bank, keep your tag, and keep moving.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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